Annual expo showcases local businesses, organizations

Posted by Taylor Fussman on November 8th, 2018

Reed City High School was filled with businesses and organizations hoping to inform area residents on the products and services they offer during the 15th annual Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community and Business Expo Thursday evening. In addition to a variety of local agencies setting up tables at the event, Spectrum Health Hospitals set up a health fair to educate attendees on several programs offered through the hospitals. (Pioneer photo/Taylor Fussman)

REED CITY — Reed City High School was bustling with activity Thursday evening as local businesses and agencies gathered for the 15th annual Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community and Business Expo.

The event offered residents an opportunity to learn about the products and services offered by approximately 45 different organizations in the area.

“This is a great business networking opportunity for the entire community,” said Kim O’Neil, Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.

Among the booths at the event was Reed City Group — Plastics, Tooling, Automation, a plastic injection molding service located in Reed City.

Thomas Miller, marketing associate for the business, said attending the business expo is a good opportunity to reach out to the people, including youth, in the area who may be interested in a career in the trades industry.

“We love to promote local and work local, and we try to talk to as many people in the community as we can,” he said.

In addition to businesses and organizations sharing information with attendees, the annual expo included a health fair by Spectrum Health Hospitals featuring blood pressure testing and information on various health programs offered by the hospitals.

Danielle Wells, communications specialist for Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals, said the event is a good resource for the hospital to connect face-to-face with residents.

“We really enjoy events like this,” she said. “They are great networking opportunities with not only the people, but also the other vendors.”

Children also were entertained during the evening as they had the chance to participate in an interactive story walk of the book “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt,” by Steve Metzger.

Jamie Eichenberg, an area resident in attendance Thursday evening, said she enjoys coming to the expo to see what new businesses may have come to the area.

“I think it’s a good introduction to make people aware of everything the community has to offer,” she said.